鎖具的專利戰

鎖具是一種很傳統的產業，通常被分在五金類的產品，看起來技術層次不高，但是，目前很多鎖的設計構想，都是非常創新，也具有可專利性，漸漸帶著它走向高科技。
位於美國加州的大型鎖具公司Pacific Lock Company，2014.8.13.就在加州中區地方法院控告Eastern Company及其設在台灣與東莞的子公司侵害其US8,776,557號專利，認為該公司產品中的隱藏卸扣掛鎖，由於內部具備有系爭專利所界定保護的可替換鎖芯，侵害其專利，除控告Eastern Company及其兩家子公司分別涉及了直接侵權、誘使侵權、協助侵權外，並且主張Eastern Company及其兩家子公司藉由販售侵害專利的產品，誘使潛在客戶購買其產品而取得市場優勢，導致不正當競爭。

US8,776,557
Title : Hidden shackle lock with an interchangeable core
Filing Date : 2007.10.10.
Issue Date : 2014.7.15
Abstract :
A hidden shackle style lock is disclosed. The lock includes a substantially cylindrical housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a curved side surface. The lock also includes a first cavity on the bottom surface of the housing extending part way along a thickness of the housing, and a second cavity on the side surface intersecting with the first cavity. A hollow sleeve is slidably attached within the second cavity. The sleeve includes a first end face, a second end face, and a third cavity. The third cavity extends from the first end face to the second face and is substantially coaxial with the second cavity. A shackle having a first end and a second end is fixedly coupled to the first end face of the sleeve. The lock also includes an interchangeable core having a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism lockingly disposed within the third cavity, and coupled to the straight shackle. The interchangeable core is configured to operate the first locking mechanism to rotate the shackle, and operate the second locking mechanism to unlock the interchangeable core from the third cavity.